Jammu: A Pakistani ultra, was today (Dec 1, 2003) gunned down by security forces in Sidhra-Mahamaya forest area on the outskirts of Jammu city, an official spokesman said. He was one of the two militants, who had attacked the vehicle of a senior Indian Administrative Services (IAS) officer yesterday.

With this, both the ultras, who had taken shelter in the forest belt after attacking the vehicle of IAS officer K B Pillai, were killed, the spokesman said. They had injured the officer near Mahamaya temple on Sidhra Railway Station Road.

However, a search operation is continuing in the forest area.

Security forces had laid siege around the area to plug out escape routes, but had suspended the operation late last evening. It was resumed in the wee hours of the day killing the holed-up militant in the forest, he said.

In the encounter that followed the attack and continued from early morning till late evening yesterday, security forces shot dead a Pakistani militant while a policeman of dog squad wing, Balkrishan and an army jawan were also killed.

A total of nine persons were injured during the attack on the vehicle of the IAS officer and subsequent encounter. They are K B Pillai, who is the director general of Indian Institute of Public Administration, his driver Parveen Mangotra, his personal security guard, head constable Surjeet Singh, constable Kunj Lal, personal security officer of Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Jammu-Kathua range, constable Ashok Kumar and four army jawans.

PTI